Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c9.92

c9.92

**Kshatriyas as Rishis.** What is known as the caste-system is known to the Rigveda, but it was not known to it in all the rigidity and elaboration marking it in later times. Though its Ṛishis or "Seers" were generally Brahmins, it was not exclusively so. Supreme knowledge was not confined to caste and did not go by birth but by inner worth achieved by *tapas*, as already seen. The Rigveda Saṁhitā preserves the names of several Ṛishis who were kings or kshatriyas. For instance, *Ṛv.* i, 100 in its 17th verse mentions five kings as Ṛishis, of whom Ambarīsha is also the Ṛishi of ix, 98. Trasadasyu is the royal Ṛishi of iv, 42 and also of v, 27, along with Tryaruṇa and Aśvamedha. Purumīḷha and Ajamīḷha are the royal Ṛishis of iv, 43 and 44. VI, 15 has as its Ṛishi King Vītahavya; x, 9, Sindhudvīpa, son of Ambarīsha;